Radiotherapy and oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology
-
Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Is the alpha-beta ratio of prostate cancer really low? A prospective, non-randomized trial comparing standard and hyperfractionated conformal radiation therapy.
The objectives of the current study were to compare genito-urinary (GU) and gastro-intestinal (GI) toxicities as well as biochemical control (bRFS) in prostate cancer, utilizing conventional (2.0 Gy daily) (STD) or hyperfractionated (HFX) conformal irradiation (CRT). HFX (1.2 Gy BID) was chosen as a radiobiological method to try to reduce long term sequelae without compromising local control. ⋯ As expected from radiobiological considerations, HFX reduces GI and GU late toxicities. Concerning early bRFS, our clinical findings suggest that HFX is no less effective than STD when delivering an isoeffective (alpha/beta=10) dose. Despite the relatively short follow-up, this result appears to be inconsistent with a low alpha/beta ratio for prostate cancer.
-
Clinical Trial
Pain flare following external beam radiotherapy and meaningful change in pain scores in the treatment of bone metastases.
To examine the incidence of pain flare following external beam radiotherapy and to determine what constitutes a meaningful change in pain scores in the treatment of bone metastases. ⋯ Our study confirms the occurrence of pain flare following the external beam radiotherapy in the treatment of bone metastases. Further studies are required to predict who are at risk for flare. Appropriate measures can be taken to alleviate the pain flare. The finding in the meaningful change in pain scores supports the investigator-defined partial response used in some clinical trials.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Randomized trial of 8 Gy in 1 versus 20 Gy in 5 fractions of radiotherapy for neuropathic pain due to bone metastases (Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group, TROG 96.05).
Despite numerous randomized trials investigating radiotherapy (RT) fractionation schedules for painful bone metastases, there are very few data on RT for bone metastases causing pain with a neuropathic component. The Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group undertook a randomized trial comparing the efficacy of a single 8 Gy (8/1) with 20 Gy in 5 fractions (20/5) for this type of pain. ⋯ 8/1 was not shown to be as effective as 20/5, nor was it statistically significantly worse. Outcomes were generally poorer for 8/1, although the quantitative differences were relatively small.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
A randomised trial of accelerated radiotherapy for localised invasive bladder cancer.
To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of an accelerated fractionation regimen to treat localised muscle invasive bladder cancer. ⋯ This accelerated fractionation schedule did not improve on the efficacy of conventional fractionation for patients with T2 and T3 bladder cancer and accelerated fractionation was associated with increased acute bowel reactions.
-
Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Intensity modulated radiation therapy with multileaf collimators of different leaf widths: a comparison of achievable dose distributions.
A planning study to analyze the impact of different leaf widths on the achievable dose distributions with intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). ⋯ As expected the MLC with the smallest leaf width always yields the best PTV coverage. Reducing the leaf width from 4 to 2.75 mm results in a slight enhancement of the PTV coverage. With the selected organ parameters no significant improvement for most OAR was found. The disadvantage of the reduction of the leaf width is the increasing number of segments due to the more complex fluence patterns and therefore an increased delivery time.